Snap on forearm

[ulav8r]

Has anyone tried converting a rifle barrel to use a snap on forearm?  I know that it has little chance of being as accurate as the screw on forend but think it might be OK for a 30/30-20 Ga. combo to allow quick changes.

[quickdtoo]

How much quicker do you need? 

Tim

From the FAQs: QUICK CHANGE FOREND

[Airsporter]

I like the snap-on idea.  I have a couple of SxS doubles and Savage 24s.  They are all snap-ons and I love it, especially the idea that I can have them 'disassembled' in my truck yet ready for action in less than 10 seconds - without a screwdriver.  I suspect that rifle accuracy might suffer a bit with an H&R, but 'minute of deer' is probably not an issue.

You might be able to do this yourself by copying another snap-on design (only if you're really into working on guns), or original parts are available from Numrich  http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ .  You would need a forend with the snap-on assembly (or buy the assembly separately and inlet it into your forend); and you need to modify the barrel stud or replace it (they sell that too). 

Might be easier to just find an older model 30-30/20ga combo.  If you go that route, be careful to make sure you're getting a snap-on v. screw on setup.  Some older models came both ways at different times.

[gcrank1]

I fear it will have to be a labor of love, no quick easy conversion that.

[guns-o-fun]

The snap-ons are not necessarily inaccurate.  I mounted a model 158 30-30 barrel to an sb2 frame and it is a snap on barrel.  I ended up bedding the spacer and adjusting the angle at which it meets the receiver just a little and the lock up on the snap-on forend is pretty tight.  Also added half an o-ring below the barrel just a 1/4 inch from the front end of the forend.  Adds just a little upward pressure on the barrel.  The gun shoots almost touching holes with hornady FTX ammo at 60 yards shooting with just my sorry old butt parked up against a tree.  If I want to shoot longer distances, I'll take another gun.  Super light weight and a joy to carry and handle.  I don't think I would go out of my way to make the conversion, though.

[tacklebury]

Ok, bear with me, this is just how my mind thinks, but couldn't you avoid the "standard" style which would require welding and try something like:



Then embed a clip like this:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#5605a753/=8rzy38

Into your forearm?  Just drill the underlug hole slightly deeper if needed and run a shorter 1/4-20 screw up from the outside and through the flat of the clip and use a flat nut to lock the clip to the forearm?  Then you can use the 1/4-20 thread from the underlug to screw the above bolt into and the spring clip would be enough to latch onto the head.  Only thing you would really have to modify is to drill a 1/4" hole in the clip for the mounting screw...  There might be some better spring clip ideas also, but I couldn't locate anything quickly.  lol  Seems like I've seen some socketed ball detents that would lock onto the head enough also, but for what it's worth, might be easier retrofitting.    Total cost of parts is < $2, but you have to buy packs, so it might cost like $10 total.  It'd let you do several forearms too though. 

[born-to-hunt]

I dont know about a snap on forend but I was thinking of finding a wingnut that fits it so you can change them fast and without tools anyone tried this?

[tacklebury]

From the FAQs: QUICK CHANGE FOREND

Not a wing nut, but is is what Tim posted about.  Just a knurled knob. 

[45LCshoooter]

I did my own knob a few years ago, instead of using a knurled knob i got a splined bolt from a home center that came with a plastic handle. I used a little epoxy putty to put a taper on it but i don't see why flattening the hole in the forend wouldn't work either...might glue a washer in there.

The knob also provided a way to index where my hand was on the stock, don't know if it made me shoot any better but my hold was more consistent.

[Gohon]

No need to go to so much trouble to make a knurled knob...........these are suppose to be a ready made part to replace the forearm screw.
  http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMAKA=40611212

[tacklebury]

He doesn't want knurled, he wants snap-on like the older H&R's had.  My .410 has the snap on, circa 1916. 

[45LCshoooter]

True, but the reason given is for quick changes, so it seems reasonable to discuss convenient alternatives to a snap on forend. I was not trying to be rude. Perhaps ulav8r could weigh back in?

[wreckhog]

Varies from gun to gun, but some forearms are tough to remove even without a screw. I think that those would stay on just fine.

[ulav8r]

I would consider the snap on because there are no loose parts to keep up with.  The large head screws offer little leverage.  A sling swivel attached to an extended screw head would work if you didn't mind the location but I don't think it would look right or be comfortable to shoot.

[MSP Ret]

I have been following this thread and like most of us here and most of our ideas I think this has some merit, if not for any other reason than the OP wants it, that alone is enough for him to do it.
However, as far as this goes:

"especially the idea that I can have them 'disassembled' in my truck yet ready for action in less than 10 seconds - without a screwdriver."

If it's just a quick first shot you want, and you have to have it disassembled in your truck for some reason, and not just unloaded, don't make it so complicated. To get the gun into action quickly ("in less than 10 seconds") simply put the barrel on the frame, slide a cartridge in the chamber, close the action, cock the hammer, aim and fire. Simplicity and reliability rule, especially when it comes to guns....<><....

[Airsporter]

My situation is, I live and work in the 'People's Republik of Maryland.'  Very anti-gun State.  For example, no 'right to carry,' and self defense is not considered a 'good and substancial reason' to get a carry permit according to Lib Dem Md Attn General's opinion!!!

Even though an 'unloaded' shotgun or rifle is technically legal in a vehicle (assuming it's not a 'regulated firearm' that must be locked in a hardcase/trunk or disassembled ) you may still end up in the hoosegow - at least until they figure out they screwed up.

[guns-o-fun]

I can't imagine living in MD or DC.  I am across the river.  In VA the 2nd amendment is still in the Constitution.  Thank goodness.